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Cosmetology Written Exam Practice Test

Infection control, hair and scalp, hair cutting, colouring and chemical texture services, skin care, nail care and professional practice for cosmetology written exams.

170 questions · 6 topics · free, no sign-up

Mixed practice test

10 questions, graded as you go, with the reason for every answer. No sign-up.

Timed mock exam

50 questions in 60 minutes, drawn from every topic. No answers shown until the end, then a score, your weakest topics and a review of what you missed.

Practise by topic

Sample questions

What does permanent waving solution do to the hair?

  1. Breaks disulfide bonds by a reduction reaction
  2. Rebuilds disulfide bonds by an oxidation reaction
  3. Coats the cuticle with a conditioning polymer
  4. Breaks peptide bonds by a hydrolysis reaction
Show the answer

A. Breaks disulfide bonds by a reduction reaction

Waving solution is a reducing agent: it adds hydrogen to the disulfide bonds and breaks them so the hair can take the shape of the rod. Rebuilding the bonds by oxidation is the job of the neutralizer.

Reference: Permanent waving: reduction reaction

Which layer of the hair gives it most of its strength, elasticity and natural color?

  1. Cuticle
  2. Dermal papilla
  3. Medulla
  4. Cortex
Show the answer

D. Cortex

The cortex is the fibrous middle layer; it holds the melanin and accounts for most of the hair's weight, strength and elasticity. The cuticle protects the cortex but contributes little strength and holds no pigment.

Reference: Hair science: layers of the hair shaft

Which color neutralizes unwanted orange (brassy) tones?

  1. Blue
  2. Violet
  3. Red
  4. Green
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A. Blue

Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel and neutralize one another; blue is opposite orange. Violet is the complement of yellow, so it corrects yellow rather than orange.

Reference: Haircolor: complementary colors

Cutting hair at 0 degrees elevation produces what result?

  1. Uniform layers with the same length throughout the head
  2. Long layers with the shortest hair at the top of the head
  3. A one-length (blunt) cut with weight at the perimeter
  4. A stacked shape with weight removed from the perimeter
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C. A one-length (blunt) cut with weight at the perimeter

With no elevation all the hair falls to one line, so the weight builds at the perimeter and no layers form. Uniform layers require the hair to be lifted to 90 degrees.

Reference: Haircutting: elevation and basic cuts

Why must implements be cleaned before they are placed in disinfectant?

  1. Cleaning makes the disinfectant evaporate more slowly during use
  2. Soap residue is needed to activate the disinfectant solution
  3. Cleaning alone already destroys bacterial spores on the tool
  4. Debris left on the surface can stop the disinfectant working
Show the answer

D. Debris left on the surface can stop the disinfectant working

Hair, skin, oil and product residue shield microbes and can inactivate or dilute the disinfectant, so the surface must be cleaned first. Cleaning does not destroy spores, and soap residue does not activate disinfectant; it should be rinsed off.

Reference: Infection control: cleaning before disinfecting

Exams this helps with

ExamWho runs itWhere
Cosmetology written (NIC theory) readyNIC, state boardsUnited States (varies by state)
Barber written readyNIC, state boardsUnited States (varies by state)
Esthetician written readyNIC, state boardsUnited States (varies by state)
Nail technician written readyNIC, state boardsUnited States (varies by state)

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